Door locking device



S. E. COCHRAN DOOR LOCKING DEVICE July 17, 1934.

Filed July 15 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR:

Samue/f. bc/rrarz M LMJ ATTORNEY.

y 17, 1934- s. E, COCHRAN DOOR LOCKING DEVICE Filed July 15, 1932 2Sheets-Sheet 2 NS 3 Qw $3 QT QT .mllirllll INVENTOR: Samue/ 5. 60mm,

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES eAENr oFFIcE.

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to door locking means, and aims to providean improved device adapted to be carried by a door for movement intoeither inoperative position, or into operative position for holding thedoor partly ajar, or for securely locking the door in completely closedposition.

Accordingly the improved door locking device comprises a bracing orlocking arm which is 10 mounted upon the inner face of the door andadapted to be raised and held latched in its inoperative position, whennot in use, or conveniently unlatched and lowered for its bracing orlooking function, for which purpose there is provided a channel or trackdevice set in the floor for engagement with the lower end of the bracingor locking member and limiting the movement thereof according to thedistance the door is to be maintained open, and also providing means forlocking engagement with the bracing or locking member, whereby the dooris securely locked in its closed position.

It is also an object of the invention to provide not only a practicaland efiicient means for accomplishing the purposes of the device as aneifective and reliable door securing appliance, but also a constructionwhich is of a neat design and attractive appearance, convenient in itsoperation, and offering no obstruction to the normal movements of thedoor, when the device is not in use.

With the foregoing general objects in view, as well as various minordetails of improvement as will appear in the course of the detailspecification, the invention will now be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings, illustrating certain forms of construction whichhave been found practical for the embodiment of the improvements, afterwhich those features and 40 combinations deemed novel will beparticularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is an elevation, illustrating a door equippedwith an appliance embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, with dotted lines representingthe device raised into inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, representing a section taken onthe line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view representing a section onthe line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line,5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view, but illustrating the'door bracingand locking member in locked position;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the floor-track or channel device;

Figure 8 is a detail representing a section on the line 88 of Figure 5;

Figures 9 and 10 are sectional details, taken on the lines 9-9 and10-10, respectively, of Figure '7;

Figure 11 is a sectional detail of one end of the channel or trackmember in closed condition;

Figure 12 is a sectional detail view, showing the latch device carriedby the door, in engagement with the bracing or looking member, when thelatter is raised to inoperative position;

Figure 13 is a perspective detail of the hinged end of the door brace orlooking member;

Figures 14 and 15 are elevations, similar to Figures 1 and 2respectively, but showing a modified construction;

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail plan view, showing the modified form ofchannel or track member for the door bracing or looking member;

Figure 17 is a longitudinal section, represent ing a section on the linel7-17 of Figure 16;

Figures 18 and 19 are'detail sections, taken on the lines 18-18 and19-19, respectively, of Figure 17;

Figure 20 is a perspective detail of the hinged end of the modified formof the brace or looking member;

Figure 21'is a detail of the modified form of the latching devicecarried by the door; and

Figure 22 is a vertical sectional detail of the same, with thedoor-bracing or locking member in raised and latched position.

seferring now to the drawings in detail, and primarily to Figures 1 to13, these disclose the appliance in operative relation to a door 25 ofthe usual form, to the lower and one side portion of which the bracingor locking arm 26 is attached by means of a suitable plate 27 and screws28, This plate 2'7 is provided with a pair of spaced lugs 29 for themounting of a suitable pivot pin 30, on which is pivotally mounted abracket member 31 formed with end lugs 32 for the mounting of a pivotpin 33 for carrying the upper cylindrical terminal 34 of the arm 26, asclearly illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 13. The pivot pins and 33being substantially at right angles to each other, it is thus apparentthat the arm 26 is afiorded a universal pivotal movement relative to thedoor 24. For maintaining the plates 27 and 31 normally in subing 60.

stantially parallel relation, suitable coil springs are interposedbetween the ends of said plates, thus yieldingly permitting the rockingof the plate 31 about the axis of the pivot pin 30.

The other end of the arm 26 is formed with an angularly arranged andenlarged terminal in the form of a suitably shaped head 37 for travelalong a channel or track member which comprises a housing 38 adapted tobe set in the floor 39, with the top of the housing flush with the floorsurface, as represented in Figures 1 and 2. The opening into theinterior of the channel or track-housing 38 is normally closed by a pairof hinged leaves 40, each hinged along one side of the housing asindicated at 41 and adapted to be held in horizontal or normally closedposition by means of a coil spring 42 connecting fingers 43 projectingfrom the leaves through suitably curved slots 44 in one end of thehousing 38 (see Figure 9). The leaves 40 are also designed to be latchedin closed position by means of a movable latch bar 46 provided withlaterally projecting fingers 47 extending through curved slots 48 in thesides of the housing 38 into engagement with a pair of lugs 49 at thesides of the housing, which lugs also form seats for coil springs 56carried by said fingers 47see Figure 7. These springs serve to supportthe latch bar in latching position, as illustrated in Figure 6, whileyielding to allow the latch bar to be forced downward and rearwardlywhen the leaves 40 are forced open, as hereinafter explained. One ofsaid leaves 40 also carries a latch pin 52 on its under face, which pinis actuated by a coil spring 53 into engagement with a recess 54 in thelatch bar 46 (see Figure 11), while the other end of said pin slidesthrough an opening 55 in the leaf 40 for entering a slight depression 56in said leaf, and permitting the pin 52 to be actuated by engagementwith the head 37 of the arm 26, in forcing the latch bar 46 downwardlyand rearwardly out of latching position.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the opening into the track or channel member38, and the shape of the hinge leaves 40, are such as to provide anenlarged opening 69 approximately midway between the ends of the trackmember, through which the head 37 may be inserted, on opening of thehinge leaves 40, as shown in Figure 8, after which said head 37 may bemoved in either direction, that is, toward either end of the track orchannel member 38, while withdrawal of the head 37 is permitted only atsaid central open- Movement of the head 37 toward the rear end of thetrack member 38 allows the door to be secured and braced in partly openposition, as represented in Figure 3, with the head 37 of the brace arm27, located as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and being prevented from removalfrom the housing by reason of the narrower size of the end 61 of thetrack or channel opening, as illustrated in Figure 7.

The head 37 is adapted to be moved also to the opposite end of the trackor channel member for locking the door in entirely closed position, asrepresented in Figures 2 and 6, it being noted that the sides of thehead are moderately curved to compensate for any lateral swing of thearm 26, in company with the movement of the door. When in the positionshown in Figure 6, the head 37 may be securely locked by means of alocking bar 65 engaging a locking recess or socket 66 in the bottom ofthe housing ',,member 38. The locking bar 65 is mounted for 1,9ee,e 12

vertical sliding movement in the head 37 and formed with teeth 67 forengagement with a cog wheel 64 which in turn engages teeth 68 on avertically sliding bar 69 having its upper end also provided with teethin engagement with a cog or pinion 70 designed for engagement by a cogsegment 71 having an operating or handle portion 72 projecting outwardlyfrom the recess 73 in the arm 26 and head 37 which contains saidoperating parts 65-71, as illustrated .in Figure 6. By means of thismechanism, it is apparent that operation of the projecting arm 72, (asby means of the foot) the rotation of the cogs and consequent sliding ofthe rack bars will effect raising and lowering of the locking bar 65 asrequired for projecting it into or out of the recess or socket 66.

When it is desired to dispense with the use of the door locking arm orbracing functions, the arm 26 may be simply swung and raised intovertical position, as represented by the dotted lines in Figure 2, andthe full lines in Figure 12, when its upper end will be automaticallylatched by means of a latching arm 75 formed with the bevel face 76 forengagement with the head 37 when the latter is swung into elevatedposition, thereby automatically rocking the arm 75 about its pivot 77 ina bracket 78 designed to be secured by means of screws 79 to the innerface of the door 25. The arm 75 is formed with a tail piece 80projecting within the bracket and engaged by a coil spring 81 tending torock the arm 75 and maintain the same in yielding latching engagementwith the lower or flat face of the head 37, as clearly illustrated inFigure 12. Obviously this construction will also permit the unlatchingof the arm 26 by simple pulling of the same outwardly away from thedoor, and from beneath the latch arm 75.

Referring now to Figures 1422 of the drawings, these illustrate asomewhat modified form of the construction, though in the maincharacterized by substantially the same functions as the constructionpreviously described. That is to say, the door bracing or locking arm26' is provided with a universal-jointed connection with the door, theconstruction for which comprises a forked terminal 85 pivotallyconnecting with the opposite sides of a collar or ring 86 slidingly aswell as rotatably mounted upon a vertical pin 87 mounted between twovertically spaced lugs 88 on the face of a bracket plate 89 secured, bymeans of screws 90, to the inner face of the door, as illustrated inFigures 14 and 15. The outer end of the arm 26' is formed with a headterminal 37 for insertion within a channel or track member, which inthis instance comprises a housing 38' set in the floor 39 and covered bya fioor plate 91 formed with a longitudinal opening 92 having theenlarged portion 93 permitting insertion of the head 37 into the space94 inside the housing member 38'. Also mounted centrally within thishousing member 38 is a longitudinal rod 95 operating in a centralpassage 96 containing a coil spring 97, which acts to force said, rod 95normally forward into engagement with a stop 98 projecting inwardly fromthe opposite end of the housing 38' into approximately verticalalinement with the forward end of the opening 93 (see Figure 17). Therod 95 is designedfor engagement with the head 37, which is formed withan opening 100 which is of somewhat oval shape in cross section foraccommodating said rod, the head 37' being also of sufficiently convexcontour to permit the necessary angular movements of the arm 26 asrequired for accommodating corresponding movements of the door. The rodis also formed with an upwardly projecting finger 102, whereby the rodmay be retracted when the head 37 is inserted into the track member, thearm 26 and head 37 having a suitable recess 103 for clearing said finger102 as the head 37' moves backward within the space 94 inside thehousing 38'.

The provision made in this form of the construction for maintaining thearm 26 elevated when not in use, as illustrated in Figure 15, comprisesa latch arm or hook 106 carried by a shaft 107 mounted vertically inspaced bearing lugs 108 carried by a bracket plate 110 attached to thedoor by screws 111 (see Figure 22). The opposite ends of the shaft 107are formed with teeth 112 for engagement by corresponding teeth 114formed on a pair of pins or rack bars 115 slidingly mounted inhorizontal passages 116 provided in the bearing lugs 108. Thearrangement is such that as the arm 26 is swung upward, it will engagethe lower rack bar or pin 115 and rotate the shaft 107 in the properdirection for swinging the latch hook or arm 106 automatically intoengagement with the arm 26', and thus secure it in its inoperativeposition. On the other hand. for the release of the arm 26', pressure bythe operator upon the upper pin or rack bar 115 will produce oppositemovement of the shaft 107, and disengage the hook 106 from the arm 26,as required for release of the same into position for use. For engagingthe head 37' within the floor track or channel, the rod is retracted bymeans of its pin 102, sufficiently to allow the rod 95 to be engagedwith the opening in the head 26; thereafter, on releasing the finger102, the rod 95 will serve to prevent withdrawal of the head 37' fromthe floor track or channel, and the spring 97 will cushion any movementof the door and its bracing arm 26' in a rearward or opening direction,due to the engagement of the finger 102 within the recess 103 as shownin Figure 17.

It will therefore be apparent that I have devised a practical,eificient, and secure door bracing and locking construction, adapted tofulfill all the stated objects of the invention, as well as to take theform of a neat and attractive appliance for attachment to the door, inthe manner illustrated.

It is of course to be understood that either form of constructionpermits securing 0f the door in a partly open position, as is oftendesired to guard against the entrance of any intruder; furthermore, itis obvious that the improved construction enables the door to besecurely and effectively locked in closed position, by the locking meansprovided for the head of the locking arm within the floor track orchannel, as illustrated in Figure 6.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described whatI now regard as certain of the most practical and eificient forms ofconstruction for embodying the proposed im provements, I desire toreserve the right to make whatever changes or modifications may fairlyfall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. Door securing means comprising an arm provided with an enlargedterminal head, a floor track or channel member having a longitudinalopening flush with the fioor surface, a part of said opening being of asize sufficient to admit said head and the remainder of said openingbeing relatively narrower to prevent withdrawal of the head, and hingedcover elements having a combined contour fitting said opening andprovided with means for maintaining the same normally in closedposition.

2. Door securing means comprising an arm provided with an enlargedterminal head, a floor track or channel member having a longitudinalopening flush with the floor surface, a part of said opening being of asize suflicient to admit said head and the remainder of said openingbeing relatively narrower to prevent withdrawal of the head, and hingedcover elements for said opening provided with means for automaticallylatching said cover elements in closed position.

3. Door securing means comprising an arm provided with an enlargedterminal head, a floor track or channel member having a longitudinalopening flush with the floor surface, a part of said opening being of asize sufiicient to admit said head and the remainder of said openingbeing 100 relatively narrower to prevent withdrawal of the head, hingedcover elements for said opening provided with means for automaticallylatching said cover elements in closed position, and means engageable bysaid head for effecting unlatching of said cover elements.

4. Door securing means comprising an arm provided with a terminal head,a floor track or channel member having a longitudinal opening flush withthe fioor surface and provided with a locking recess in the bottom ofsaid member, a vertically movable locking bar carried by said head forlocking engagement with said recess, and a pivotal cog segment providedwith connections for raising and lowering said locking bar.

5. Door securing means comprising an arm provided with a terminal head,a floor track or channel member having a longitudinal opening flush withthe floor surface and provided with a locking recess in the bottom ofsaid member, and 120 a vertically movable locking bar carried by saidhead for locking engagement with said recess and provided with rack andcog means including an exterior pivotal handle element operable forraising and lowering said bar.

6. A keeper structure for door locking arms comprising, a channel memberhaving a longitudinal opening for receiving the end of the locking arm,hinged cover plates having means for maintaining the same in normallyclosed relation to said opening, and a latch bar movable normally intoengagement with the interior faces of said plates for latching thelatter in closed position.

7. A keeper structure for door locking arms comprising, a channel memberhaving a longitudinal opening for receiving the end of the looking arm,hinged cover plates having means for maintaining the same in normallyclosed relation to said opening, a latch bar movable normally intoengagement with the interior faces of said plates for latching thelatter in closed position, and a latch-disengaging element carried byone of said plates for engagement by the locking arm for actuating saidbar out of latching position.

SAMUEL E. COCHRAN.

